Skyline bats unleashed in win over Lake Washington | Fastpitch softball

Once the floodgates opened Monday afternoon, there was no stopping the Skyline bats.

By Kevin Endejan • April 20, 2010 5:33 pm
Skyline shortstop Lindsey Nicholson lays the tag on Lake Washington's Haley Andrews during the second inning of Monday's game. Catcher Lauren Wolfe and Nicholson hooked up twice to throw out would-be Kangaroo base stealers.
Skyline shortstop Lindsey Nicholson lays the tag on Lake Washington's Haley Andrews during the second inning of Monday's game. Catcher Lauren Wolfe and Nicholson hooked up twice to throw out would-be Kangaroo base stealers.

Once the floodgates opened Monday afternoon, there was no stopping the Skyline bats.

The Spartan fastpitch team erupted for a season-high 15 hits on their way to a 13-4 victory over Lake Washington at Kirkland’s Crestwood Park.

“I thought that once we got in their pitchers’ head hitting-wise it was just no holds barred from there,” Skyline head coach Alison Mitchell said.

Leading 2-1 after two complete innings, the Spartans found a groove off of Kangaroo pitcher Sara Aasness in the top of the third. Lauren Wolfe and Margot Erwin led the inning off with walks and Jillian Windsor reached on a error to load the bases. Skyline followed with five consecutive hits and two bases-loaded walks to push the score to 8-1.

“Hitting is something that we’ve been struggling with, so that was a good thing,” Mitchell said.

Anya Kamer ended the game 4-for-6 at the plate with a triple, an RBI and three runs scored. Freshman Jillian Windsor was 2-for-5 with two runs scored.

Skyline starting pitcher Lauren Richards cruised through the first four innings, allowing just one hit and one earned run. She ended the complete game with nine strikeouts.

Lake Washington took advantage of some infield hits in the bottom of the fifth inning to cut the score to 10-4, but that’s as close as the Kangs got.

Skyline’s defense played a key role early in Monday’s contest. Wolfe, the catcher, threw out two base-runners attempting to steal second base — one in the first inning and one in the second.

“She did a wonderful job behind the plate,” Mitchell said, noting that Lake Washington has the most team speed in KingCo. “That was one of her goals this season, was to throw out the runners on that team. I was happy to see her do it.”

Skyline improved to 4-2 in league and 7-3 overall with the victory. They hold first place in the Crest headed into Wednesday’s contest with Redmond.

With just two newcomers, Skyline has virtually an identical roster from last year’s 6-10 team that finished shy of the league playoffs.

The difference so far this year?

Certainly a pair of key incoming freshmen, including Windsor and the league’s leading hitter, Mickey Dunn-Blad, can’t be forgotten. But, Mitchell, who is in her first year of coaching the Spartans, thinks its a case of her team finally believing in itself.

“I just think that the kids have a lot of drive,” she said. “Obviously it is the same talent last year, and they realize that it was wasted. When I came in they asked me to push them, so that’s what I’ve been doing to try and help them get their goal.”

Issaquah blanks Roosevelt

Issaquah pitcher Mikenzie Voves struck out 15 batters and allowed just four hits in a 2-0 shutout of Roosevelt Monday afternoon in Seattle.

Heather Benjamin had a double and Brielle Bray had a triple for the Eagles, setting up their scores.

Issaquah moved to 3-2 in league and 5-3 overall with the victory.

Inglemoor edges Eastlake in extra innings

Eastlake jumped out to a fast 4-0 start over Inglemoor Monday afternoon, but couldn’t hang on, eventually falling 8-7 in nine innings.

Tied 6-6 headed to the top of the ninth, the Wolves grabbed a 7-6 lead. The Vikings countered in the bottom of the inning, however, scoring two runs for the win.

Lexie Jaeger had three RBI for Eastlake, while Nicole Guptil went 3-for-4 at the plate.

Eastlake fell to 3-2 in league and 6-3 overall with the loss.